Rocking bed construction



Jan. 8, 1957 s. Y; GIBBON ROCKING BED CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 2, 1953 J; ..4 23% 4 5/ K W j @JJL ATTORNEY Jan. 8, 1957 S. Y. GlBBON ROCKING BED CONSTRUCTION Filed June 2, 1953 2 Sheets-Shet 2 fig 5.

ug-T244, 2.2 figJ J W A TT AA/EY United States Patent O 1,176,658 QRQCKINGWED CQNSTRUCTION -body-serves toactuate .the diaphragm"in amanner-- which imposes collapsing- :and 1 expansion-- action on tthelungs. Iheperiodat which .rockingmotionoccurs may be timed to. provide normal breathing :interval. rBlood circula- :tion i-s==also improved by=this shifting: ofpressures.

The apparatus efitherpresent inventionincorporates a number of features which are vapplicable towocki ngbeds imgeneral but areparticularly valuablein. connection with mocking bedsconstructed for use ,with infants. -Inaddition :to being useful in connection with various resp'iratory ailments the apparatus ,is';.particu1arly valuable for very. young [infants whose' breathing functions have not developed tonorrnal because 'of some malfunctioning of :Ihe .respiratory system. It hasvbeentound that themap- .sparatus is particularly efiective for .inducinginit-ial breathing ininfants who do notrespond tothe normal-methods sused. to cause breathing to start. The :roc k ing bed apparatus of thepresent invention has been used successfullyin manydnstances to induce breathingxaction and to assistfin maintainingituntil normal respiration occurs.

. One ofthe primary objects of the invention isEthe-provision be rocking bed apparatus in :which :the ,transverse rocking pivetislocat'ed at the upper endof the bed' close to the plane in which thepatient lies. gW-ith-the rocking axis in this location thellowerrportion ofthe patientsihead lies vclose to-theaxis with the result that very little mevementof .the head occursexcept a-slight-angu1ardisplacement. Thus administration of.normalsattention to-the infant such as .swabbing its mouthen-aspirating its throat forfthe clearing of mucus and the like may be 1 continued while .the rocking motion is in process.

Another object-of the invention is the provision of a .trame-structure'which supports the complete bassinet unit in assimple fashion with a removable. pivot to allow the bassinet to-be quickly attached -'or removed-from the rock- .ying-structure rto allow compact -storagemfthe apparatus for shipment or when it is not being used.

A further objectof gthe-invention is the-provision of a rocking bed structure which is provided with a concentrated-balance weight-at the proper location to. give a .naturalvpendular frequency to the. apparatus which is close to the normal operating period. This construction :permitsnperation near these natural frequencies "with a minimum expenditure 'otdriving power.

A still further object of theinvention ;isthe provision of-a pallet frame and cover on which the-patient is .supported-Which consists of a sheettof fabric attached to a "frame in a fashion which allows-rapid removal am 1'e Ice 2,776,658

Patented Jan. 8, 1957 i 2 placement to' give 'pi'oper sanitairy'bbnditions. "Ihis eenstructionfiii'the'r provides' for' a timfdrtabl's'iippdrt which conformsto-theshape of the bdy ass-maybe constructed from materials which are safe for use in an atmosphere having mi-xturesbf ex 'gen'sor ether.

Another object ofthe inventihfl is the provis'ion' of P operating mechanism which pet-masher only adjustment ofthe'speed bf-escillation' -aboveandbelow the normal "average, but also'pr'ovides for ad'jii'st'ihg 'the amplitude of "'osei1lationwitliin a"'s1iitab1e mage thereby'pe'rmittingttd- "justrh'ent to "suit the' s'ev'eiity of-the' requirements in" differ- How the 'foregoin'g bbjects andadvahtages are attained -"-wi1l be clear from i the fe'llbwihg-deseription of the draw- Figure l" is .a' side elevational viewer the rocking 'b'ed apperatus incorporating the featilres ofthei present inve'nti'on.

Figtire 2' is an end' levational view 0f the apparatus 1 sh'own in Figure 1.

i Fig-tire 3 is" a sectional view'taken in 'the direction of pr'ovides for ehange in' amplitude o-f oscillating motion. Figure 4 is a plan view takenHalongthe direction of ar'rows' 4 4; Figure 'Q; showing additional"details of the 5 drive l'ink m'echanism.

Figure 5 is a fragmentanyviewinplan showing ac'orner of the pallet frame andcover =const-ruction.

In'Ei'gures il'a and 2 it willbe seen th'at 'th lovver cabinet 10=is=providediwith caste'ring Wheels 1 1 which permit'the 'unit tobe moved-about in rahya'directiomwith 'a-iminimum -a of efiort. -C3bih6t'l10"h0liS6:th6"PbW81 ahd "transmitting mechanism'iwhich produces 'rthe actuati'ng 'forces for oscilrl-ting'ithe-ibed unit. Suppb-rtedwon the .c'abinetwlO are 'side frame 1 members 112'- Which extend "above" 4 the cabinet lat eachi-sidelthereofuto form -atstructural support'for the bed unit. "In .ithe horizontal tpertion of frame member 12 at each side of l'the'aappar'atus there is. a isection' 13 -:near 1 one end thereof which is preferably of square" cross-section uand proyided-with a 'veritiealicylindrical -fopening-*14,-' into "which upright column -15 is fitted. At theupper end'of each column :IS-thereds atdylindricahhousing 16 which encloses the bearing .USed :-to support pivot shaft 17. Each tsha'ft i7 is attaehed tma boss '18 supported on amovable side'r-ame member 19.

:Side frame members sly-extend downwardly and are -;connected-' to the lower frame I member 20 which-extends 'transversely to :forma sort'of-cradle' structure to support @the'rocking rbedau-nit. A A- pairvof :spacedlongitudinally ex- "tendingangle-:stiifeners21; 21are'provided' on the bottom 0f vthebassinet enclosure 22. JFhese-sstifieners rest on a 1 pair of -.supporting-;plates* 23; 23 which are secured to the v side-drame-members '19, 19 by spacer-blocks as clearly i seenin -Eigure:2. A transversely extending block onWeight'24 is rigidly -secured t o the angle stiffeners 21, -21. -This weight 24 -qconcent-ratesa m'ajorportion of the weight of the appara- 'tu s-in the end-of athe swinging amechanism whichis closest -tothepivot 17. lnlhis way, the weight 24-acts to counterso -balanee in large part'the weight of other partsof the apparatus'on the otherside'0f=thepivot.

Thebassinetis pivotally connected to the supporting plates 23, 23 'by means of pivot pins 25, 25 extending gi-nto the weight 24. Thus the bassinet unit or bed mem- 5 her 22 is independentlypivoted to the cradle structure by ;pivot*25=and may-be swung upwardlyaway from it on the pivot. 'The normal position of the-center of grav- -'ity 'of the weight of the bassinet and contents normally holds the unit in proper position in the cradle as shown. -However incasean :operator should inadvertently insert .his'arm or some -other .portionaofhis body between-the wside frame '12 and thebottom :of -the-bassinet 22 when it is in its upward position of swing, no damage can be done, inasmuch as the bassinet will swing about the pivot and only its weight will be imposed upon the arm or object which may contact it. Thus damage to the operator or apparatus is avoided inasmuch as the forces from the drive mechanism are not transferred to the inserted object.

A pallet or occupants support is placed in the bottom of the bassinet unit 22. This is constructed with a complete encircling frame 26 which is of rectangular shape to fit inside the compartment 22. A corner of the frame and pallet construction is illustrated in Figure 5. In order to support the frame 26 above the bottom surface of the bassinet enclosure 22 cross members 27 are provided with side vertical supports to engage the frame 26..

Three of these supports 27 are shown, one at each end and one in the center of the frame. The supporting diaphragm 28 which is attached to the frame 26 may be made of any suitable fabric, preferably one which is electrically inert so that it is safe for use in explosive or highly inflammable atmosphere. In order to provide for quick attachment to or removal from the frame 26, the member 28 is provided with reinforced edges which are proportioned to pass around the frame 26 and fold back on itself to be fastened at intervals by means of snap fasteners 29. The corners of the diaphragm member 28 may be cut out as illustrated at 30, Figure 5. A flexible pallet of this nature deforms to engage the form of the body and serves to prevent shifting of the occupant under the angular movement.

The bassinet body 22 is provided with a lid or cover 31 so that the bassinet unit may be completely enclosed in cases where it is desired to isolate the occupant or in order to provide concentrations of oxygen or other therapeutic materials. Cover 31 is preferably made from materials which will not harbor a static charge which could be dangerous in an atmosphere which is composed of oxygen and ether mixtures or other explosive gases frequently found in hospital operating rooms and the like. In order to provide a satisfactory cover a frame 32 is provided, the lid being composed of two similar portions hinged at the center at 33. In this way either end of the lid may be raised independently for access to the patient or the complete lid may be removed or set in place quickly by means of projecting portions of the hinges 33 which engage in suitable slots in the sides of the enclosure 22, thereby providing for the locating of the lid in a simple and accurate manner. Glass 34 or other suitable transparent material may be inserted in frame 32 to permit easy observation of the patient in the enclosure.

If desired, auxiliary apparatus may be attached to the enclosure unit 22. An oxygen and humidifying system, as well as an aspirating system is shown connected to the enclosure 22. In Figures 1 and 2 it will be seen that large diameter pipe 35 extends from the end of the enclosure to a container 36. Associated with the pipe 35 is an atomizer unit to which oxygen under pressure may be fed. This in turn creates a reduced pressure system which draws and atomizes water from the container 36 so that it produces a fine mist which is transmitted with the oxygen into the enclosure 22. This portion of the apparatus operates in the same general manner as the humidifying apparatus shown in U. S. Patents 2,593,134 and 2,624,337, issued April 15, 1952, and January 6, 1953, respectively. The flow of oxygen through one channel of the atomizer produces a suction action in the other channel of the atomizer. This suction may be utilized to operate the aspirator unit by connecting it to this source of low pressure. Thus the pipe 37 which is connected with the suction leg of the atomizer produces reduced pressure in the container 38 and likewise in the tube 39. Thus by connecting a suction tube or catheter to the internal end of pipe 39 mucus and the like may be withdrawn from the patient while the bed is operating. This is easily accomplished since the mouth of the occu- 4 pant lies close to the pivotal axis and therefore little motion is involved at this point during the aspirating operation.

As will best be seen from Figure l the drive mechanism is housed in cabinet 10. Here it will be seen that electric motor 40 drives the gear reduction unit 41 through the medium of pulley 42, belt 43 and pulley 44. Suitable gearing is provided in reducer 41 so that crank member 45 is driven at reduced speed. One end of connecting rod 46 is attached to the crank member 45 by a pivot 47 and is attached to arm 48 by another pivot 49. Lower end of arm 48 is pivoted at 50a to a bracket 50 and thus is arranged for swinging movement under the influence of connecting rod 46. The upper end of vertical arm 48 is connected by means of connecting'rod 51 to arm 52 which is rigidly attached to the swinging frame structure which carries the bed or bassinet unit.

The details of construction of the vertical arm and its connecting rod attachments will be more clearly seen in Figures 3 and 4. In order to provide for different amplitudes of rocking oscillation the connecting rod 46 is arranged to be moved with respect to the vertical arm 48 and thereby act at different distances from the fulcrum at the fitting 50. In order to permit change of the posi tion of the pivot structure 49 a pair of brackets 53 and 54 are attached to the vertical arm 48 and in turn these brackets support a threaded rod 55 which extends upwardly and terminates in thumb screw 56. Attached to the pivot 49 is a female threaded cylindrical part 57. A slot 58 in the vertical arm 48 allows the pivot 49 to move relative to the arm 48 in a longitudinal or vertical direction. Proper positioning of the pivot member 49 in the slot is controlled by the washer 59 and flanged bearing member 60. Connecting rod 46 engages the bearing member 60 through which pivot member 49 passes. Thus by turning thumb screw 56 the position of the pivot 49 may be moved along the slot 58 thereby changing the amplitude of motion of the upper end of'the arm 48.

The construction of the horizontal connecting rod 51 between the upper end of swinging arm 48 and the arm 52 is also shown in Figures 3 and 4 where it will be noted that connecting rod 51 is attached to the arm 52 by means of a pivot or bolt member 61 and to the upper end of arm 48 by means of a special pivot member 62. It will be observed that pivot member 62 is arranged to pass through one side of the connecting rod 51, then through the arm 48 into the other side of connecting rod 51. Connecting rod 51 is further constructed to permit the head of pivot 62 to be embedded in it so that the cover member 63 which is swingably attached to the connecting rod 51 by means of a small rivet 64 can be swung either out of position to permit removal of the pivot 62 or into position to retain 62 in place. Thus a quick disconnection is provided in which removal of pivot 62 permits the rocking bed and its complete supporting frame structure to be lifted from the lower unit by lifting out the vertical supports 15 from their sockets in the enlarged portion of members 12, thus removing the complete upper assembly. With the mechanism just described for varying the amplitude of oscillation of the bed movement, the rocking action may be changed from an amplitude as indicated by center lines 65, 65a to an increased amplitude of motion as indicated by lines 66, 66a.

To change the speed of oscillation, pulleys 42 and 44 are preferably of the variable diameter type in which the diameter of the driving pulley may be progressively increased while that of the driven pulley progressively decreases and vice versa.

Use of the apparatus is relatively simple and does not require a highly trained operator. The infant is placed in the bassinet unit on the pallet with its head at the end adjacent the rocking pivot as indicated by the dotted outline 67. By adjusting the thumb screw 56 the desired amplitude'of oscillation of the bed is selected and the pulleys 42 and 44 are adjusted to give the desired speed. A normal speed of 20 oscillationsper minute with adjustments on either side from approximately 12 oscillations per minute to 30 oscillations per minute is preferably provided. With the lid in position the motor 40 may then be started and the equipment operated to produce resuscitation action. Oxygen and humidification may be supplied to the chamber as desired, and in case it is necessary to have direct access to the patient for such purposes as aspiration of mucus or the like, the upper portion of the lid may be folded back on its pivot.

From the foregoing it will be evident that I have provided an improved construction for rocking beds, particularly those for use with infants. By the construction illustrated the rocking action may take place about an axis close to the patients head and thus avoids large amplitudes or rapid motion in the head region where such motion might have a detrimental physiological effect. The angular motion, however, produces the desired physical effect in displacing the weight of the internal organs so that full resuscitation action is applied to the diaphragm and improved blood circulation is induced by change in pressure direction. This location of the pivot has the further benefit of permitting administration of medicaments, using a swab or aspirator or giving similar attention to the occupant while the rocking bed is in action. By constructing the bassinet portion as a separate unit which may be attached to a rocking framework by pivotal means the danger of causing injury to the operator in the event that he is struck by the swinging unit is avoided. The provision of proper counterwei ht structure also provides not only for improved static balance of the apparatus but permits operation at, or near, the normal natural pendular frequency of operation with a minimum of power. The simple, manually operated screw adjusting mechanism, provides an improved method of changing the amplitude of rocking action.

I claim:

1. A rocking bed assembly for use with individuals requiring resuscitating action including a bed member for supporting the patient, a structural support on which said bed member is mounted, pivotal parts supporting said bed member on said support for providing a transverse rocking pivot, the axis of said pivot being located close to the end of the bed member where the head is normally located and at an elevation higher than the plane of the bed surface supporting the patient, actuating mechanism with a connection to said bed member for producing the rocking motion.

2. A rocking bed construction having a bed member and a supporting structure on which the bed member is mounted for rocking motion, a transverse pivot structure having bearing parts attached to move with the bed member and cooperating bearing parts attached to the supporting structure, the axis of said pivotal structure being located above the surface of the bed member in a position near the upper end of said bed member at a point approximating the location of the normal position of the occupants mouth, power drive apparatus and connections between said apparatus and said bed member for causing the rocking action.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 278,732 Porter June 5, 1883 335,441 Farmer Feb. 2, 1886 992,671 Kester May 16, 1911 1,497,078 Fritz June 10, 1924 1,760,301 Dougherty May 27, 1930 1,943,888 Ewald Jan. 16, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS 663,577 Great Britain Dec. 27, 1951 

